Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an elevator control system (1), comprising an elevator control device (2) for operating an elevator car (12) which is adapted to be operated within an elevator shaft (18), and an inspection control station (3) configured to communicate with the elevator control device (2) for operating at least one function of an elevator system (10) in an inspection or maintenance operation mode, and configured for attachment at a storing location (71,72) of the elevator system (10), wherein the storing location (71,72) is at the elevator car (12) or within the elevator shaft (18) or in proximity of the elevator shaft (18).

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car (12) suspended in the hoistway via one or more suspension members (46). A counterweight (22) is suspended in the hoistway via the one or more suspension members (46) to balance operation of the elevator car (12). A traction sheave (24) is located in the hoistway to drive the one or more suspension members (46) along the hoistway via traction with frictional contact between the traction sheave (24) and the one or more suspension members (46), thus driving motion of the elevator car (12) and/or counterweight (22) along the hoistway. One or more diverters (66) are positioned in the hoistway in operable contact with the one or more diverters (66). The one or more diverters (46) are configured and positioned to define a wrap angle (68) of the one or more diverters (66) about the traction sheave (24); the wrap angle (68) being between 180 degrees and 360 degrees.

Abstract: A hoistway access system for an elevator includes an access switch positioned at a selected landing floor 34 of an elevator and operably connected to a controller 46. A remote controlled lock 48 is located at landing doors of a landing floor providing access to a hoistway pit 36, and is operably connected to the controller. A safety actuation system is operably connected to an elevator car and operably connected to the controller. The controller is configured to command a drive system to drive the elevator car to an upper location when the access switch is activated, to define a selected safety volume in the hoistway defined by the hoistway pit and the elevator car, command engagement of the safety actuation system to stop and hold the elevator car, and command the lock to unlock when the safety actuation system is engaged, thereby allowing access to the hoistway via the landing doors.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an elevator system to ensure a predetermined elevator shaft clearance is provided and includes an elevator car moveably disposed in an elevator shaft and guided along at least one guide rail, the elevator shaft having a top surface and a bottom surface. Also included is a counterweight moveably disposed in the elevator shaft. Further included is a position monitoring device monitoring a position of at least one of the elevator car and the counterweight relative to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface. Yet further included is a braking device actuated to initiate a braking event in response to detection of the position of at least one of the elevator car and the counterweight being within a predetermined distance from one of the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A locking system for an elevator car includes a moveable panel of the elevator car moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position provides access to a region external to the elevator car. Also included is a plate operatively coupled to an exterior surface of the moveable panel. Further included is a magnetic locking member operatively coupled to an exterior surface of a fixed panel of the elevator car in communication with an electrical member, wherein the plate exerts magnetic forces with the magnetic locking member, the magnetic locking member magnetically coupled to the plate in a first electrical condition of the electrical member to maintain the moveable panel in the closed position and decoupled from the plate in a second electrical condition of the electrical member to allow the moveable panel to be moved to the open position.

Abstract: A building settling detection system having at least one sensor configured between a guide rail track of an elevator system and a pit of the elevator system and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller configured to monitor an output of the at least one sensor and transmit a notification to a remote location when the output of the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating that the predetermined threshold is met or exceeded.

Abstract: An example elevator brake includes a first braking member that is biased by a first spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The first braking member includes a first armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the first braking member from the braking surface against the biasing force of the first spring member. A second braking member is biased by a second spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The second braking member includes a second armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the second braking member against the biasing force of the second spring member. A first electromagnetic actuator actuates the first armature and a second electromagnetic actuator actuates the second armature.

Abstract: An elevator system includes guide rail mounted machine and a sheave assembly that accommodates a guide rail within a hoistway. The inventive sheave assembly includes individual sheave portions rotatable along a common axis. At least two of the sheave portions are spaced apart along the shaft and a portion of the guide rail extends toward the axis beyond a plane formed tangent to the outer diameter of the sheave portions.

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises a hoistway (4), an elevator car (2) arranged to move vertically within the hoistway and a drive machine (10) arranged in the hoistway outside the travel path of the car (2) or vertical projection thereof. The car (2) is coupled to the machine (10) by a rope (18) which is guided by a pair of idler sheaves (26, 28) so as to pass under the car (2). The idler sheaves (26, 28) have a diameter of less than 120 mm. The disclosed arrangement allows both overhead space and pit depth to be minimised.

Abstract: A sliding guide shoe for an elevator is provided including a base having a plurality of walls. A contact liner has a first side operably connected to at least one of the plurality of walls. A second side of the contact liner is configured to contact at least one surface on an elevator guide rail. The contact liner has a non-uniform thickness and is thereby configured to contact the at least one surface of the elevator guide rail over less than an entire surface of the second side of the contact liner.

Abstract: An example elevator brake includes a first braking member that is biased by a first spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The first braking member includes a first armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the first braking member from the braking surface against the biasing force of the first spring member. A second braking member is biased by a second spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The second braking member includes a second armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the second braking member against the biasing force of the second spring member. A first electromagnetic actuator actuates the first armature and a second electromagnetic actuator actuates the second armature.

Abstract: A control arrangement (100) for an elevator brake, comprises a control circuit (110) adapted to generate, according to a demand for releasing a first braking member of the elevator brake, a first actuating signal and to generate, according to a demand for releasing a second braking member of the elevator brake, a second actuating signal; a first terminal (112) for outputting the first actuating signal to a first electromagnetic actuating means (26) of the elevator brake, a second terminal for outputting the second actuating signal to a second electromagnetic actuating means (30) of the elevator brake; the control arrangement (100) being adapted to allow at least the following modes of operation: A) a normal operation mode in which the first and the second actuating signals are supplied synchronously to the first and second electromagnetic actuation means (26, 30), respectively, and B) a single braking member test operation mode, in which one of the first and second actuating signals is supplied to the respect

Abstract: An exemplary enclosure for housing electronics useful with an elevator system includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall. A third sidewall is at an oblique angle relative to the first sidewall. The third sidewall provides a support surface for supporting electronics inside the enclosure. The first and second sidewalls are moveable relative to the third sidewall to provide a single opening facing the support surface.

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a foldable handrail mounted on top of the car. Safety switches are associated with the foldable handrail including a first safety switch and a second safety switch. The first safety switch is closed only when the handrail is folded in a fully retracted position. The second safety switch is closed when the handrail is unfolded in a fully deployed position. A safety chain is associated with the first and second safety switches for supplying power to an elevator drive system in a normal operation or an inspection operation depending on the state of the first and second safety switches.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: A safety device for an elevator system includes a retractable element mounted on a support. The retractable element has a stopping position in which a catch portion of the retractable element projects from the support to engage a triggering member of a safety brake associated with an elevator car as the elevator car traveling in a selected direction approaches a selected vertical position, and a retracted position. An actuator selectively controls the position of the retractable element. A position sensor is responsive to the position of the retractable element to make sure that it is in its stopping position when needed.

Abstract: An exemplary enclosure for housing electronics useful with an elevator system includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall. A third sidewall is at an oblique angle relative to the first sidewall. The third sidewall provides a support surface for supporting electronics inside the enclosure. The first and second sidewalls are moveable relative to the third sidewall to provide a single opening facing the support surface.